MKAIKA member of Parliament Peter Phiri says he will spearhead a campaign that will ensure all teachers found to have defiled school-going girls are dismissed.
Speaking in an interview in Katete on Thursday, Mr Phiri said he will work with relevant authorities to ensure that punitive measures are taken on teachers who take advantage of schoolgirls.
He said girls are always safe in the hands of their teachers and that the same teachers should not take advantage of them.
“Should a teacher be involved in immoral acts with young girls, he must face the law and be punished, because he is spoiling the girls and robbing them of their childhood,” Mr Phiri said.
He said immoral teachers are not needed anywhere near children and that he will work to protect the girl child at all cost.
The MP urged parents to report cases of defilement to the police and avoid hiding and settling cases out of court.
“It is common in Katete district for parents of defiled girls to opt to settle cases outside court because they are offered money or other material goods. Others do not even report cases to the police, putting the life of the young girl at risk,” Mr Phiri said.
Mr Phiri also bemoaned the increase in pregnancies among school-going girls in Katete.
He said he will work with the traditional leaders, non-governmental organisations and parents to address the challenge of pregnancies in the district.
Mr Phiri is certain that with the involvement of all stakeholders, there will be a reduction in the cases of defilement and early pregnancies among girls.
153 total views, 153 views today